Weekly Update - Sunday 3/6/2011

The tennis tournament awards presentation and pizza happy hour was an outstanding success last Thursday.  A special thanks to Seiny and Bill Kouwenhoven for all their hard work to make it such a wonderful event for all who attended. 

We had 10 teams filling the courts for the first match of our March Session of Club Team Tennis.  From the laughter and applause coming off the courts it was, as usual, a fun day of tennis.  This session, with many of our men players being on the “injured reserve” list, or having left the park, Mark got creative and put together an all women team called “Chicks with Sticks!”  Bev Argo, Rhoda Zaph and Marg Wildeman played in the  men’s slots in the men’s doubles and the mixed matches.  They did not win this week but from my scouting report, they are going to be one tough team to beat!

The Tennis Tournament Medalist Plaque is in production, the medal winners have received their certificates, and, I am proud to announce (put it this way…I am thrilled to get it off my “to do list”) that the blog has been updated with action photos of all of our winning teams.  You can find this on our website www.palmcreektennisclub.blogspot.com.  Just click on this link and it should take you right to the posting!   Please remember that I also post a copy of this weekly update on our blog so you may have to scroll down past the 3/6 update to get to the tennis tournament medalist photos.

Next session of Club team tennis is Thursday, March 11^th.   If you are not playing, please come out to cheer the teams on and then join us for the tennis club weekly happy hour at 4pm.  Just bring your favorite adult beverage and an appetizer to share (can be homemade or store bought) and meet some of the people that make our tennis club so great.

The secret is out and all of our members should have received an invitation in their park mailbox to the March 19^th  “Saturday Night at the Courts”  event.  The invitation has the details of the draw for the singles tournament which has eight of our finest tennis players competing in a single elimination tournament with a single set determining each match.  The festivities start at 6:30 pm on Court 3 with the Opening Ceremonies and the singing of “O Canada” and “America the Beautiful.”    In keeping with the elegance of our members this is a [Silly] Black Tie event.  We are asking for everyone to wear some form of black tie, ribbon, bow, and entertain us with their creativitiy.  A black tie event of this magnitude would not be complete without fine wines to taste.  We have therefore asked for every couple to bring a bottle of their favorite wine to add to the tasting (with a suggested maximum cost of $10/bottle).   In keeping with this sophisticated black tie extravaganza, we are also asking for everyone to bring an appetizer that fits a “Silly” black tie event.  To complete our evening in style, the club will provide dessert and coffee.  This event is open to all members of the tennis club and their guests (who we respectfully ask to also bring a bottle of wine and an appetizer).   If you are not a member and would like to attend, just call  Helen Arnold at 520-876-6877 and, as you are signing up so late in the season, we will count this year’s dues toward’s next season’s dues as well.

Last but not least, I hope to see you at the Tennis Club Annual BBQ on Sunday, March 13^th  at 4pm in the North Pavilion.  The sign up sheet has been counted, but if you forgot to sign up, please give Sieny a call at 6687.  The club provides the hamburgers and the hot dogs and we ask our members to bring either an appetizer, a side dish or a dessert.  And don’t forget to bring your favorite adult beverage.  This is also the election of officers and committee chairs for the 2011/2012 season.  Past Predident, Char Eicher, as her “swan song” before she moves into her new home in Mission Royale, has voluteered to head the nominating committee.  If you got a call from Char I hope you stepped up to be of service to our great club. 

Palm CreekTennis Tournament - February 17th - February 25th

Yes, the dates are correct.  For the third year in a row we managed to get rained out at least one day of our tournament.  Aside from the weather, we had an exceptional tournament with all of the brackets full and great tennis matches. 

Everyone who played in the tournament was a winner! However, here are some action shots of the medal winning teams (all names listed are from left to right):
Gold Men's A - Steve Land and Mark Costello

How's that for "leaning into the shot!

Silver Men's A - Steve Allen and Ken Civiello

Steve's in his ready position and don't be fooled...so is Ken!

Bronze Men's A -  John Smith and Pete McGannon

John just hit the ball and Pete is making sure it lands "in."

Gold Women's A - Bev Argo and Mary Ellen Halm

Bev's got it and those eyes are fixed on that ball.  Mary Ellen's making sure she got it!

Silver Women's A- Penny Jacobsen and Rhoda Zaph

Rhoda has her eye on the service toss (see it almost at the top of the fence) and Penny is ready for that return of serve.

Bronze Women's A
Bonnie Morgan and Connie Emerson

With their fashion conscious team outfits, Bonnie has just hit the ball and she's doing what they taught her in lessons...she's moving in.  Connie's got her eye on the ball and she's holding her position at the net. 

Gold Mixed A - Ken Swanson and Mary Ellen Halm

Mary Ellen's got the racket back as far as it will go so she can crush this serve!

Silver Mixed A - Ken Civiello and Rhoda Zaph

Rhoda just hit the ball (see it passing to Ken's left) and she is into her follow through.  Ken and Rhoda had to retire in the Gold/Silver match but Ken assures me he will be back next year to kick some butt!

Bronze Mixed A - Pete McGannon and Penny Jacobsen

Penny is poised to hit that ball (see it at the top of the fence) and Pete is quite the imposing figure at the net.

Gold Men's B - Manfred Sohni and Brian Younge

Manfred got pulled off the deuce court, hit a great cross court and is rushing back to catch a possible cross court return.  Brian is at the ready.

Silver Men's B - Ron Bates and Gar Wildeman

Ron and Gar are practicing serves "warming up" for the big match.

Bronze Men's B - Dennis Eggert and Herbert McMahon

Dennis just hit the ball (see it at the top of the windscreen) and Herbert is in ready position.  These two players are new to Palm Creek Tennis, were put together as partners by chance and they walk away with a medal.  Way to go and hope to see you back next year to defend your title!

Gold Women's B - Kay Nelson and Carol Heinze

Kay just hit this ball (just above her racket) and Carol is focused and ready for the next shot!  This team was also a last minute change as their original partners could not play so they teamed up at the seeding event and walked away with a Gold Medal.  Way to go ladies!!

Silver Women's B - Jean McConnell and Mary Anderson

Jean and Mary are another of our style conscious teams with these great matching outfits!  Jean is pulled to the alley and Mary is watching in case she needs to call the ball "out."

Bronze Women's B - Carmen Allen and Mary Sullivan-Pondell

Mary just hit this shot  (see the ball by Mary's racquet) and Carmen has her eye on the ball.

Gold Mixed B - Steve Allen and Carmen Allen

Steve's got this ball with his racquet ready to meet the ball in front of him.  Carmen is focused on the action of the opponents.

Silver Mixed B - Dennis Dahlen and Mary Sullivan-Pondell

Dennis is running for this one and Mary's is keeping a close eye on the ball.

Bronze Mixed B - Patti Blessen and John Blessen

John's is back to receive serve and Patti is watching the ball to make sure it lands in the service box.

Congratulations to all of our medal winners and to all who participated, spectated, or worked on the tournament making it the most successful tennis tournament we have ever had!